How Governor Waiguru saved her political career by resigning as CS
On November 21, 2015, Kirinyaga Governor Anne Mumbi Waiguru made a crucial decision to secure her future political career.
At the time, she was the Cabinet Secretary (CS) for Devolution and Planning in the administration of President Uhuru Kenyatta (now retired).
Appointed in 2013, during Kenyatta’s tenure leading the country under the Jubilee Party, Waiguru faced numerous allegations of corruption within her ministry.
The first signs of trouble came with revelations of irregularities at the National Youth Service (NYS), a department under her purview.
Initially denying any financial mismanagement, Waiguru’s stance changed when investigations by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) uncovered fraud amounting to at least Sh791 million.
Josephine Kabura, a central figure in the NYS saga, was implicated as an accomplice, a link Waiguru denied.
The opposition coalition Cord, led by Raila Odinga’s Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), relentlessly pursued Waiguru’s accountability over allegations of corruption and misuse of public resources.
On 21 November 2015, recognising the toll the allegations had taken on her health, Waiguru tendered her resignation to President Kenyatta.
Citing deteriorating health due to sustained attacks from various quarters, she said her doctor had advised her to take time off. In her resignation letter, she asked to be relieved of her duties if the President deems it appropriate.
“I have therefore, on the advice of my doctor – who is sitting beside me – requested His Excellency the President to relieve me of the responsibilities of the Cabinet Secretary for Devolution and Planning and, if he deems it fit, to assign me such lighter duties as he deems appropriate,” Waiguru told the media.
The decision appeared to be a strategic move to save her political career.
However, the case was later dismissed for lack of merit and substantial evidence implicating her.
In August 2016, Waiguru declared her political ambitions by joining The National Alliance (TNA) and setting her sights on the 2017 general election.
She laid the groundwork for her bid for the Kirinyaga County gubernatorial seat, eventually securing victory on a Jubilee ticket.
She is currently serving her second and final term as governor.
Article 152 of the Kenyan Constitution outlines the procedure for impeaching CSs.